Thermal regulating lay flat beverage container packaging

ABSTRACT

Beverage container packing trays, systems, and techniques of packing beverage containers include at least a beverage container tray including beverage container contoured compartments configured to receive one or more beverage containers in a lay flat configuration. The beverage container contoured compartments include at least a cradle element, a conical element, and a neck support element. The beverage container tray includes thermo pack compartments that house transport thermo packs adjacent to at least a portion of the beverage containers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/025,712, entitled “THERMAL REGULATING LAY FLAT BEVERAGE CONTAINERPACKAGING,” filed on May 15, 2020, the disclosures of which isincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to packaging for materials, andparticularly to packaging for beverage containers, such as wine bottles,beer bottles, spirits bottles, and the like.

BACKGROUND

Historically, packaging and/or packaging materials for shipment ofbeverage containers (e.g., wine bottles, beer bottles, spirits bottles,etc.) have included bubble wrap, Styrofoam, popcorn, and othertraditional packaging materials. For example, multiple bottles could bewrapped in bubble wrap, positioned in Styrofoam, and/or otherwisesecured and placed into a box for transit. More recently, molded paperpulp trays have been used to secure multiple bottles during transit.Beverage containers may be packaged to lay flat, rather than upright,during transit. In certain instances, consumers and/or beveragecontainer producers may wish to control the temperature in molded paperpulp beverage container packing. There is a need for improved beveragecontainer packaging and, more particularly, a lay flat beveragecontainer packaging configured to regulate the temperature of beveragecontainers.

SUMMARY

A beverage container packing tray includes beverage container contouredcompartments configured to receive one or more beverage containers in alay flat configuration. The beverage container contoured compartmentsmay include at least a cradle element, a conical element, and a necksupport element. The beverage container packing tray may include atleast one transport thermo pack compartment configured to house one ormore transport thermo packs adjacent to at least a portion of thebeverage containers.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes thermo pack compartments located adjacent to a portion of thebeverage container contoured compartments that are configured to housean upper portion of a beverage container.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes thermo pack compartments with a recessed area configured tohouse the transport thermo pack adjacent to a neck of a beveragecontainer.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes a thermo pack compartment including a recessed area configuredto house the transport thermo pack between the necks of a plurality ofbeverage containers.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes thermo pack compartments located adjacent to corners thebeverage container packing tray.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes thermo pack compartments located adjacent at least one of thebeverage container contoured compartments.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes a plurality of platforms.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing trayincludes platforms that include substantially flat surfaces that allowthe beverage container packing tray to be stacked on a second beveragecontainer packing tray.

A beverage container packing system includes a first beverage containerpacking tray including beverage container contoured compartments and oneor more thermo pack compartments. Each of the beverage containercontoured compartments may be configured to receive a beverage containerin a lay flat configuration and the thermo pack compartments may beconfigured to receive a transport thermo pack adjacent to at least aportion of a beverage container. The beverage container packing systemmay include a second beverage container packing tray defining secondbeverage container contoured compartments and second thermo packcompartments. The second beverage container packing tray may besubstantially similar to the first beverage container packing tray.

According to various embodiments, a beverage container packing systemmay include a shipping container configured to receive the first andsecond beverage container packing trays.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude beverage container contoured compartments that include a bottlecradle element, a conical element, and bottle neck support element.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude a thermo pack compartment that is located adjacent to a portionof the beverage container contoured compartment that is configured tohouse an upper portion of a beverage container.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude a thermo pack compartment that includes a recessed areaconfigured to house the transport thermo pack adjacent to a neck of abeverage container.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude a thermo pack compartment that includes a recessed areaconfigured to house the transport thermo pack between the necks of aplurality of beverage containers.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude thermo pack compartments that are located adjacent to corners ofthe first tray and second tray.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude first and second beverage container packing trays that areconfigured to at least partially encapsulate the beverage container andtransport thermo packs.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing system mayinclude first and second beverage container packing trays that include aplurality of platforms that include substantially flat surfaces thatallow the first and second trays to be stacked.

According to various aspects, the beverage container packing systemincludes a box liner configured to receive at least the first and secondbeverage container packing trays inside of the shipping container.

A method of packing beverage containers includes placing a plurality ofbeverage containers in a plurality of bottle contoured compartments in afirst beverage container packing tray. The compartments may beconfigured to receive a beverage container in a lay flat configuration.At least one transport thermo pack is placed in a thermo packcompartment adjacent to at least one of the bottle contouredcompartments. A tray assembly is assembled by placing a second beveragecontainer packing tray onto the first beverage container packing tray sothat beverage containers and transport thermo packs are at leastpartially encapsulated by the first and second trays. The tray assemblyis placed in a shipping container.

According to various aspects, the method of packing beverage containersfurther includes placing a box liner in the shipping container, the boxline including an insulating material.

According to various aspects, the method of packing beverage containersfurther includes placing beverage containers in bottle contouredcompartments of a third beverage container packing tray. At least onetransport thermo pack is placed in a thermo pack compartment adjacent tothe bottle contoured compartments. A second tray assembly is assembledby placing a fourth beverage container packing tray onto the thirdbeverage container packing tray so that beverage containers andtransport thermo packs are at least partially encapsulated by the thirdand fourth trays. The second tray assembly is placed on the trayassembly in the shipping container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from the following, more particular description of variousexemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical,functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The firstdigits in the reference number indicate the drawing in which an elementfirst appears.

FIG. 1 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a beverage container packing tray accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts front, back, and side views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of a beverage container packing tray accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 10 depicts bottom, side, and back views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments.

FIG. 11 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 12 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 13 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 14 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 15 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 16 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 17 depicts top and front views of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 18 depicts bottom, side, and back views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments.

FIG. 19 depicts beverage containers and thermo transport packs in abeverage container packing tray according to various embodiments.

FIG. 20 depicts stacking beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 21 depicts stacking beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 22 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 23 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 24 depicts top and front views of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 25 depicts bottom, side, and back views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments.

FIG. 26 depicts beverage containers in a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments.

FIG. 27 depicts stacking beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 28 depicts a beverage container packing tray, beverage containers,and a thermo pack according to various embodiments.

FIG. 29 depicts a beverage container packing tray, beverage containers,and a thermo pack according to various embodiments.

FIG. 30 depicts assembling beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 31 depicts assembling beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart depicting a method of packing beverage containersaccording to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are discussed in detail below. While specificexemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that thisis done for illustration purposes only. In describing and illustratingthe exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sakeof clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited tothe specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevantart will recognize that other components and configurations may be usedwithout parting from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. It is tobe understood that each specific element includes all technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similarpurpose. The examples and embodiments described herein are non-limitingexamples.

Any publications and references cited herein are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

As used herein, the term “a” refers to one or more. The terms“including,” “for example,” “such as,” “e.g.,” “may be” and the like,are meant to include, but are not be limited to, the listed examples.

Beverage container packing as described and shown herein is directed tomolded trays, such as molded paper-pulp trays, that can accommodatebeverage containers in an environmentally regulated environment. Thebeverage container packaging disclosed herein may include traysconfigured to accommodate beverage containers in horizontalconfiguration (or lay flat configuration) along with components,elements, and/or mechanisms for controlling environmental conditions inthe packaging, such as transport thermo packs, ice packs, thermo bricks,heaters, and the like to prevent spoiling during transport, especiallyduring hotter or colder times of the year.

Beverage container packing or packaging is disclosed herein in variousembodiments. These various embodiments and configurations may includebeverage container packing trays that encapsulate multiple beveragecontainers. The trays may retain multiple beverage containers, such aswine bottles, beer bottles, spirits bottles, and the like, for shipmentin a container, such as a cardboard box, crate, or other container. Thebeverage containers may vary in size including, for example, 375 ml, 500ml, 750 ml, or any other size. The term beverage container as usedherein may also refer to any container that encloses a fluid, whether ornot the fluid is a beverage.

The beverage container packing tray retains multiple beverage containersalong with mechanisms for regulating the temperature or otherenvironmental conditions inside the packaging. The mechanisms forregulating temperature or other environmental conditions in thepackaging may be referred to thermo packs or transport thermo packs. Athermo pack may include, for example, a plastic or other material thatencloses a fluid or solid that absorbs thermal energy. In one example,the thermo pack includes a gel-based cold pack. In another example, thethermo pack includes ice, a solid that simulates ice, a thermal brick,and/or other solid that absorbs thermal energy. Alternatively, atransport thermo pack may be a heating pack that radiates thermalenergy, thereby maintaining the beverage containers at a highertemperature than would occur without a heating source. Each transportthermo pack may transmit thermal energy to or absorb thermal energy fromone or more beverage containers. The transport thermo pack may becontoured to match the space between adjacent rows of beveragecontainers. Other temperature regulation components or items used tocontrol temperature may include heaters, mechanisms to provide heat,coolers, refrigerators, fans, ice packs, heating packs, chemicalelements that heat or cool the packaging, and/or any other items ordevices to modify or control temperature in the packaging. The trays maybe configured to accommodate transport thermo packs, for example, nearto the top of the beverage containers, near the bottom of the beveragecontainers, along the side of the beverage containers, surrounding thebeverage containers, in between beverage containers, or in otherlocations. The transport thermo packs are placed in the tray atappropriate locations.

Once the beverage containers and transport thermo packs are placed in afirst tray, a second tray is placed on the first tray. The second traymay include, for example, a similar geometry to the first tray. Incertain cases, the shape (contours) of the second tray may mirror theshape of the first tray. In some instances, the first tray and secondtray may be identical or substantially identical with the exception of,for example, minor differences. In some cases, the second tray mayinclude different geometry than the first tray. The second tray geometrymay, for example, compliment the first tray. The second tray mayaccommodate the beverage containers and the transport thermo packs. Thefirst tray and second tray may encapsulate the beverage containers andtransport thermo packs in a claim-shell, sandwich, and/or similarconfiguration. The first tray, second tray, beverage containers, andthermo transport packs are placed in a shipping container, such as acardboard box, regular slotted container (RSC), crate, or similarcontainer, for transit. In certain cases, multiple assemblies of firsttray, second tray, beverage containers, and thermo transport packs maybe stacked in a shipping container.

In various embodiments, a beverage container packing tray may includebottle accommodating elements, thermo pack accommodating elements, andother features. The bottle accommodating elements and other elements ofthe tray may allow for the beverage container to lay flat duringtransit, rather than being upright. Laying flat may reduce thesusceptibility of the bottle to impact and damage during transit. Thelay flat configuration may allow the bottles to be used with certaintypes of packaging containers (e.g., cardboard boxes). The bottleaccommodating elements may match or resemble the contour of a beveragecontainer. The bottle accommodating elements may include cradleelements, conical elements, semi-conical elements, and/or otherelements. The bottle accommodating elements (and subcomponents) may becontoured to encapsulate a beverage container, such as a wine bottle,beer bottle, spirits bottles, and the like. These features of the bottleaccommodating elements, particularly the cradle elements, conicalelements, the recessed areas between the elements, and/or the cavitiesbetween the cradle and conical elements absorb energy when the containeris subjected to impact forces, such as when the packaging is dropped orroughly handled. Absorbing impact in the beverage containeraccommodating elements prevents the beverage containers from beingdamaged.

The beverage container packaging as disclosed herein may include spacesand/or structure to accommodate thermo transport packs. The beveragecontainer packing system disclosed herein includes spaces to package thethermo packs positioned between and/or around the beverage containers.The use of thermo packs and/or other temperature regulation componentswith molded paper pulp or other packaging materials provides temperaturecontrol in a cost effective, light weight, structurally sound, andenvironmentally-conscious packaging manner. By including thermotransport packs in the beverage container packaging, the environmentalconditions, such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, and/or otherconditions, are controlled during transit. For example, the transportthermo pack may, for example, increase the humidity in the package. Insome cases, the transport thermo pack may absorb moisture in the packageto decrease the humidity of the package. Humidity control may be usefulin scenarios where beverage containers are transmitted in conjunctionwith food items, vegetation, tobacco products, medicines, and/or othermaterial affected by humidity changes. Controlling environmentalconditions during transit may be for example be useful (and in certaincases necessary) in transporting beverages that are sensitive toenvironmental conditions. For example, the beverage container packagingdisclosed herein allows temperature-sensitive beverages to be packagedand transported without spoiling and/or degradation due to environmentaleffects. The beverage container packaging includes space to accommodatethermo packs and/or other items used to control temperature, whilemaintaining the structural integrity of the packaging. For example, thetrays and/or other elements of the beverage container packaging includea combination of spaces or voids to accommodate thermo packs and/orother items used to control temperature and sufficient structuralelements to withstand loads, impacts, and/or other dynamic events duringshipping.

In various embodiments, beverage container packing trays may befabricated from molded paper pulp. The molded paper pulp may includeand/or be fabricated from recycled paper products. In certain cases, themolded paper pulp and/or other packaging materials include a liquidresistant coating, plastic wrapping, material treatment, and/or otherfeatures to accommodate the environmental effects of a thermo packhoused in the packaging. The beverage container packaging traysaccording to some embodiments may include a moisture resistant materialthat retains structural integrity throughout transit and storage. Thethermo packs can provide additional protection of the beveragecontainers, but the packing system can also be used without thermopacks. The moisture resistance within the center support allows thecenter support to absorb excess moisture and pull moisture from the winelabels, thus adding another protection benefit. In contrast, expandedpolystyrene (EPS) containers do not allow excessive moisture to escapefrom the cavity, leaving bottle labels at risk. The rapid exchange oftemperature within the packing system described herein allows for rapidevaporation of moisture from within the regular slotted container (RSC)shipping container.

In some embodiments, the shipping container, trays, and other componentsmay include a water-resistant coating. For example, a coating may beapplied to the molded paper pulp such that the paper pulp maintains itsshape in the presence of moisture. The transport thermo pack disposedbeverage container packing trays may leak, or a temperature differencebetween the atmospheric temperature and the temperature of the transportthermo pack may cause condensation to form. By coating the trays,shipping container, and/or other components with a water-resistantcoating, the system can maintain its shape and provide support andcushioning for the beverage containers.

The coating according to various embodiments is a water-based additivethat is mixed in the paper slurry before the actual molding cycle. Lessthan 3% of water used in production is made of the additive. Thewater-based material does not outgas, deform, or add any negativeeffects to the parts and environment. It does, however, add slightmoisture and/or water resistance. This reduces the likelihood ofdegradation during use with thermo packs, product transportation, andshipping through humid areas. The outer shipping container may not needany coating as the pulp inners may retain moisture with the bottomcavities, such as the first compartments of the bottom tray. Theadditive to the pulp allows the paper material to absorb moisture andpull moisture from wine labels. The additive to the pulp also allows thepaper material to exchange moisture with the atmosphere, therebyallowing the bottom tray, the center support, and/or the top tray toexpel moisture without degrading their structural integrity.

In various embodiments, the beverage container shipping systemsdisclosed herein may also include box liners. For example, a box linermay provide insulation surrounding the packaging elements, such as pairsof beverage container packing trays. The box liner may line the inside ashipping container, such as cardboard box. Box liners of varying degreesof thickness, materials, and other properties may be used to enhance thethermal capabilities of the beverage container packaging. The box linermay in conjunction with, for example, the transport thermo packsincrease the R value of the cooling time range for the beveragecontainer packaging. In certain cases, the box liner is fabricated fromrecyclable materials to reduce the environmental impact of the beveragecontainer packaging.

FIG. 1 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray 100includes bottle contoured compartments 102 (beverage container contouredcompartments, bottle contoured elements), thermo pack compartment 104(thermo pack space, thermo pack accommodating space, thermo brick slot),and/or other elements. The beverage container packing tray 100 (alsoreferred to as a tray, packing tray) is configured to accommodatebeverage containers (not shown) in a lay flat or horizontal position.The bottle contoured compartments 102 (two shown) are configured tosupport a beverage container that is laid flat in the tray 100. Thebottle contoured compartments 102 may include one or more cradleelements 106, spine elements 108, conical elements 110 (semi-conicalelements), and/or other elements. The cradle elements 106 may include asemi-circular cradle shape structure that matches or approximates theouter shape of the beverage container. The cradle elements 106 areconfigured to continuously surround a portion of the beverage container,such as half of the container. In the example shown, the cradle elements106 partially surround roughly half of the beverage container at twolocations near the bottom of the container. The cradle elements 106 areseparated by recessed portions 112. The recessed portions 112 mayinclude a gap in material between the cradle elements 106. In certaincases, the recessed portions 112 include first stiffener elements 114and second stiffener elements 116. The stiffener elements 114 mayprovide structural rigidity. The stiffener elements 114 may also beconfigured to deform when the tray 100 is subject to loading. The firststiffener elements 114 may be located between a base 118 of the tray anda side wall 120 of the tray. The first stiffener 114 provides structuralrigidity in the event that a side wall 120 is flexed away from or towardthe center of the tray 100. The second stiffener elements 116 may belocated between a base 118 of the tray (tray base) and a cradle element106. The second stiffener elements 116 may provide structural rigidityas the tray 100 is flexed about its long end.

In certain cases, there are platforms 128 between adjacent cradleelements and platforms 130 between the conical elements 110. Theplatforms 128, 130 provide structural rigidity in the tray and definethe boundary between adjacent bottle contoured compartments 102.Recessed elements 132 are located between the platforms 128 and/orplatforms 130. The recessed elements 132 allow the tray 100 to flex withloads applied, for example, during transit.

In various embodiments, a spine element 108 may connect multiple cradleelements 106. By analogy to anatomy, the spine element 108 may resemblea spine and the cradle elements 106 may resemble ribs. The spine element108 may connect multiple cradle elements 106. The conical element 110may be configured to match the contour of (surround) a tapered portionof a beverage container. For example, certain beverage containers, suchas wine bottles include a tapered portion near the upper portion of thebottle. The conical element 110 is configured to accommodate the taperedpotion of the beverage container. The conical element 110 may resemblethe shape of a space shuttle capsule. The conical element 110 may taperto a neck of the beverage container. For example, the neck of thebeverage container may pass through an end of the conical element 110.The neck of the beverage container may extend from an end of the conicalelement 110 and into a thermo pack compartment 104.

In various embodiments, a thermo pack compartment 104 is configured tohouse one or more thermo packs. In certain cases, beverage containersare placed in the beverage container contoured compartment 102 andtransport thermo packs are placed in the thermo pack compartment 104.The thermo pack compartment 104 may include dividers 122 (ribs) thatpartition in the thermo pack compartment 104. The dividers 122 may bepositioned to accommodate the size of the thermo pack. The dividers 122may reduce the surface area of a transport pack that contacts the bottomsurface transport pack compartment 104. The transport thermo packs mayinclude water from, for example, condensate. Exposing the tray 100 towater over a period of time may cause damage to the tray. So, it may beadvantageous to limit the surface area of the tray 100 that contacts thepack. In certain cases, the dividers 122 enhance the structuralcharacteristics of the thermo pack compartment.

In various embodiments, the thermo pack compartment 104 is bounded byouter walls 124 a partition wall 126. The outer walls 124 form theoutside of the tray 100 in the thermo compartment 104 portion of thetray 100. The partition wall 126 defines a boundary between the thermopack compartment 104 and the bottle contoured compartments 102. Thegeometry of the thermo pack compartment 104 may be sized to accommodateparticular thermo packs. Thermo transport packs (not shown) are placedin the thermo pack compartment adjacent to, for example, the upperportion (e.g., necks) of the beverage containers. As a result of theirplacement near the necks of the beverage containers, the transportthermo packs provide cooling or heating directly to the beveragecontainers.

In some embodiments, beverage containers (not shown) are placed in thebeverage container packing tray 100 in, for example, the beveragecontainer contoured compartments 102. The beverage containers maycontact the cradle elements 106, the spine elements 108, and the conicalelements 110. A portion of the beverage container may extend into thetransport thermo pack compartment 104. Transport thermo packs are placedin the transport thermo pack compartment 104. A second tray may beplaced on the top of the tray. The second tray may be identical to thefirst tray and/or may mirror the first tray. The first and second traysmay completely surround, protect, and secure the beverage containers,transport thermo packs, and other items. This assembly may be placed inbeverage container shipping container.

FIG. 2 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a beveragecontainer packing tray 200 is depicted. The beverage container packingtray 200 depicted may include a different view, such as a bottom view orunderside view, of beverage container packing tray 100 of FIG. 1. Thebeverage container packing tray 200 may include cradle elements 206. Thecradle elements 206 may include the underside of cradle elements 106 ofFIG. 1. The tray 200 includes conical elements 210, which may includethe underside of conical elements 110 of FIG. 1. The tray 200 furtherincludes a thermo pack compartment 204, which may include the undersideof thermo pack compartment 104 of FIG. 1.

The beverage container packing tray 200 includes platforms 208, 212-216.The platforms allow the tray 200 to sit steady on a flat surface, suchas the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top or bottom of anothertray, and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certain cases, theplatforms 208, 212-216 aid in stacking of beverage tray containerpacking trays 200. In the example shown, the tray 200 includes thermopack compartment platforms 208 (four platforms shown). Platforms 208 maybe located on the underside of thermo pack compartment 104 of FIG. 1.Platforms 216 may extend from the conical elements 210. In the exampleshown, two platforms 216 extend from the conical elements 210. Platforms212 may be disposed between the cradle elements 206. Platforms 212(eight shown) may include and/or extend from, for example, the recessedelements 132 between the cradle elements 106 of FIG. 1. Platforms 214may extend from the cradle elements 206. In the example shown, twoplatforms 214 extend from the cradle elements 206 that contact a lowerportion of a beverage container.

In certain cases, multiple beverage container trays 200 are stacked ontop of one another in a shipping container. A first tray 200 may beplaced in the bottom of the shipping container, loaded with beveragecontainers, and transport thermo packs. A second tray 200 is placed ontop of the first tray so the two trays encase (surround) the beveragecontainers, thermo transport packs, and other components. Platforms 208,212-216 of a third tray may be stacked on the platforms 208, 212-216 ofthe second tray 200. Because the platforms include flat or relativelyflat surfaces, the trays may be efficiently stacked. The flat surfacesof the platforms 208, 212-216 allow stacked beverage container trays 200to transmit load between trays while reducing the load applied tobeverage containers housed within the trays. Stacking flat platforms208, 212-216 of one tray on the platforms of another tray allows thetrays to be stacked while reducing damage to the trays, which may befabricated out of paper-based materials that are somewhat susceptible todamage. In some instances, a first set of trays is stacked on a secondset of trays during transit to ship, for example, four beveragecontainers. Additional sets of trays may be stacked to ship six, eight,or any number of beverage containers in a single package.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a beverage container packing tray accordingto various embodiments. The beverage container packing tray 300 may besimilar to tray 100 of FIG. 1 and/or tray 200 of FIG. 2. In the exampleshown, the packing tray 300 includes bottle contoured compartments 302,a thermo pack compartment 304, and/or other elements. The bottlecontoured components 302 may include, for example, bottle cradleelements 306, spine elements 308, conical elements 310, neck supportelements 342 (bottle neck supports), and other components. In certaincases, the neck support element 342 may be an element of the conicalsection 310. The neck support element 342 may be configured to support aneck portion of a beverage container, such as a wine bottle, spiritsbottle, beer bottle, soda bottle, and the like. The neck portion 342 mayspan the conical section and terminate at a partition wall 326 of thethermo pack compartment 304.

In various embodiments, the tray 300 includes multiple recessed elements312, 334, 336, 338, 340. Recessed elements 312 may be located betweencradle elements 306 along the outer edges of the tray 300. Recessedelements 336 may be located between cradle elements 306 along the innerportion of the tray 300. Recessed elements 312, 336 may be included toprovide platforms (e.g., platforms 212 of FIG. 2) on an opposite side(bottom side) of the tray 300. Recessed elements 334 are included in theconical section 310 of the tray 300. The recessed elements 334 formplatforms, such as platforms 216 of FIG. 2, on an opposite side of thetray 300. Recessed elements 334 also function to provide structuralrigidity and flexibility in the conical section 310. Recessed elements338 are included in the cradle elements 302 that contact a lower portionof the beverage container. Recessed elements 338 form platforms, such asplatform 214 of FIG. 2, on an opposite side of the tray 300. Additionalrecessed elements 340 are included at locations around a perimeter ofthe tray 300. Recessed elements 340 function to stiffen the tray and/orincrease the structural rigidity of the tray 300.

In various embodiments, the thermo pack compartment 304 is configured tohouse (accommodate) thermo packs. The thermo pack compartment 304 isbounded by outer walls 324 and a partition wall 326. The outer walls 324define portions of the outer surface of the tray 300. The partition wall326 may define a boundary (border) between the thermo pack compartment304 and the beverage container accommodating space 302. The partitionwall 326 and outer walls 324 may include a draft (for example, a sevendegree or other draft) to enable the tray 300 to be removed from themold during fabrication.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. The beverage container packing tray400 may be similar to tray 100 of FIG. 1, tray 200 of FIG. 2, and/ortray 300 of FIG. 3. The beverage container packing tray 400 depicted mayinclude a different view, such as a bottom view or underside view, ofbeverage container packing tray 100 of FIG. 1 and/or tray 300 of FIG. 3.The beverage container packing tray 400 may include cradle elements 406,conical elements 410, thermo pack compartments 404, and/or otherelements.

The beverage container packing tray 400 includes platforms 408, 412-416.The platforms 408, 412-416 allow the tray 400 to sit steady on a flatsurface, such as the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top ofanother tray, and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certaincases, the platforms 408, 412-416 aid in stacking of beverage traycontainer packing trays 400. In the example shown, the tray 400 includesthermo pack compartment platforms 408 (four platforms shown). Platforms416 may extend from the conical elements 410. In the example shown, twoplatforms 416 extend from the conical surface 410. Platforms 412 may bedisposed between the cradle elements 406. Platforms 414 may extend fromthe cradle elements 406. In the example shown, two platforms 414 extendfrom the cradle elements 406 that contact a lower portion of a beveragecontainer.

FIG. 5 depicts front, back and side views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments. Three separate views ofthe beverage container packing tray 500 are depicted in the figureshown. As shown, a front view 550 of a beverage container packing trayincludes a tray base 518 (a bottom of a tray) and an upper surface 544of a tray. The front view 550 may depict the thermo pack compartment end504 of the tray 500. The thermo pack compartment dividers 522 aredepicted.

In the example shown, a back view 560 of a beverage container packingtray includes a tray base 518 and an upper surface 544 of the tray. Theback view 560 may depict an end of the tray including the bottleaccommodating spaces 502. A center channel 546 is located in the centerof tray. The center channel 546 may span the underside of platformsbetween bottle accommodating spaces 502 (e.g., the underside ofplatforms 128, 130 of FIG. 1).

As shown, a side view 570 of a beverage container packing tray includesa tray base 518 and an upper surface 544 of the tray. The side view ofthermo pack compartment 504 illustrates the draft of the walls of thesame. The bottle cradle elements 506 and conical elements 510 are shapedto match the contour of a beverage container.

FIG. 6 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray 600is configured to accommodate three beverage containers. Beveragecontainer packing tray 600 may be similar in many respects to thebeverage container packing trays 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-5,and some of features that are similar across the designs will not bediscussed in relation to FIG. 6 to avoid redundancy. The beveragecontainer packing tray 600 may include bottle contoured compartments602, thermo pack compartments 604, and/or other elements. The bottlecontoured compartments 602 include bottle cradle elements 606, spineelements 608, conical elements 610, bottle neck support elements 642,and/or other components. The bottle neck support elements 642 include apass through to accommodate the neck portion, a reduced diameterportion, of a beverage container. The beverage container packing tray600 (also referred to as a tray, packing tray) is configured toaccommodate three beverage containers (not shown) in a lay flat orhorizontal position.

In some embodiments, there are platforms 628 between adjacent cradleelements and platforms 630 between the conical elements 610. Theplatforms 628, 630 provide structural rigidity in the tray 600 anddefine the boundary between adjacent bottle contoured compartments 602.

In various embodiments, a thermo pack compartment 604 houses thermopacks. In certain cases, beverage containers are placed in the tray 600in the bottle contoured compartments 602. The thermo pack compartment604 may include dividers 622 (ribs) that partition in the thermo packcompartment 604. The dividers 622 may be reduce thermo pack contact withthe tray 600. In certain cases, the dividers 622 enhance the structuralcharacteristics of the thermo pack compartment 604. The thermo packcompartment 604 may be sized to accommodate multiple thermo packs and/orparticular sizes of thermo packs.

In various embodiments, the thermo pack compartment 604 is bounded byouter walls 624 and a partition wall 626. The outer walls 624 form theoutside of the tray 600 in the thermo compartment 604 portion of thetray 600. The partition wall 626 defines a boundary between the thermopack compartment 604 and the beverage container contoured compartments602. The geometry of the thermo pack compartment 604 may be sized toaccommodate particular thermo packs.

FIG. 7 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a beveragecontainer packing tray 700 is depicted. The beverage container packingtray 700 depicted may include a different view, such as a bottom view orunderside view, of beverage container packing tray 600 of FIG. 6. Thebeverage container packing tray 700 may include cradle elements 706. Thecradle elements 706 may include the underside of cradle elements 606 ofFIG. 6. The tray 700 includes conical elements 710, which may includethe underside of conical elements 610 of FIG. 6. The tray 700 furtherincludes a thermo pack compartment 704, which may include the undersideof thermo pack compartment 704 of FIG. 7.

The beverage container packing tray 700 includes platforms 708, 712-716.The platforms allow the tray 700 to sit steady on a flat surface, suchas the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top of another tray,and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certain cases, theplatforms 708, 712-716 aid in stacking of beverage tray containerpacking trays 700. In the example shown, the tray 700 includes thermopack compartment platforms 708 (six platforms shown). Platforms 708 maybe located on the underside of thermo pack compartment 604 of FIG. 6.Platforms 716 may extend from the conical elements 710. In the exampleshown, two platforms 716 extend from the conical surface 710. Platforms712 may be disposed between the cradle elements 706. Platforms 712(twelve shown) may include and/or extend from, for example, recessedelements between the cradle elements 606 of FIG. 6. Platforms 714 mayextend from the cradle elements 706. In the example shown, threeplatforms 714 extend from the cradle elements 706 that contact a lowerportion of a beverage container.

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of a beverage container packing tray accordingto various embodiments. The beverage container packing tray 800 may besimilar to tray 600 of FIG. 6 and/or tray 700 of FIG. 7. In the exampleshown, the packing tray 800 includes bottle contoured compartments 802,a thermo pack compartment 804, and/or other elements. The bottleaccommodating elements 802 may include, for example, bottle cradleelements 806, spine elements 808, conical elements 810, neck supportelements 842, and/or other components. In various embodiments, thebeverage container tray 800 includes a neck support portion 842. Theneck portion 842 may be an element of the conical section 810. The necksupport portion 842 may be configured to support a neck portion of abeverage container. The neck portion 842 span the conical section andterminate at a partition wall 826 of the thermo pack compartment 804.

FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a bottom side ofa beverage container packing tray 900 is depicted. The beveragecontainer packing tray 900 depicted may include a different view, suchas a bottom view or underside view, of beverage container packing tray600 of FIG. 6 and/or tray 800 of FIG. 8. The beverage container packingtray 900 may include cradle elements 906, conical elements 910, thermopack compartment 904, and/or other elements.

The beverage container packing tray 900 includes platforms 908, 912-916.The platforms 908, 912-916 allow the tray 900 to sit steady on a flatsurface, such as the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top ofanother tray, and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certaincases, the platforms 908, 912-916 aid in stacking of beverage traycontainer packing trays 900. In the example shown, the tray 900 includesthermo pack compartment platforms 908 (six platforms shown). Platforms916 may extend from the conical elements 910. In the example shown,three platforms 916 extend from the conical surface 910. Platforms 912may be disposed between the cradle elements 906. In the example shown,twelve platforms 912 extending at least partially between the cradleelements 906. Platforms 914 may extend from the cradle elements 906. Inthe example shown, three platforms 914 extend from the cradle elements906 that contact a lower portion of a beverage container.

FIG. 10 depicts front, back and side views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments. Three separate views ofthe beverage container packing tray 1000 are depicted in the figureshown. As shown, a front view 1050 of a beverage container packing trayincludes a tray base 1018 (a bottom of a tray) and an upper surface 1044of a tray. The front view 1050 may depict the tray from the end closestto the thermo pack compartment, the thermo pack compartment end of thetray 1000. The thermo pack compartment dividers 1022 are depicted.

In the example shown, a back view 1060 of a beverage container packingtray includes a tray base 1018 and an upper surface 1044 of the tray.The back view 1060 may depict an end of the tray including the beveragecontainer contoured compartments 1002 (bottle contoured compartments). Achannel 1046 is located in the center of tray. The channel 1046 may spanthe underside of platforms between bottle accommodating spaces 1002(e.g., the underside of platforms 628, 630 of FIG. 6).

As shown, a side view 1070 of a beverage container packing tray includesa tray base 1018 and an upper surface 1044 of the tray. The side view ofthermo pack compartment 1004 illustrates the draft of the walls of thesame. The bottle cradle elements 1006 and conical elements 1010 areshaped to match the contour of a beverage container.

FIG. 11 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray1100 is configured to accommodate two beverage containers (not shown) ina lay flat or horizontal position. The beverage container packing tray1100 is configured to accommodate transport thermo packs between atleast a portion of the beverage containers. Beverage container packingtray 1100 may be similar in many respects to the beverage containerpacking trays 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-5, and some of featuressimilar across the designs will not be discussed in relation to FIG. 11to avoid redundancy.

The beverage container packing tray 1100 may include bottle contouredcompartments 1102, thermo pack compartments 1104, and/or other elements.The bottle contoured compartments 1102 include bottle cradle elements1106, spine elements 1108, conical elements 1110, bottle neck supportelement 1142, and/or other components. The beverage container packingtray 1100 (also referred to as a tray, packing tray) is configured toaccommodate two beverage containers (not shown) in a lay flat orhorizontal position.

In some embodiments, there are platforms 1128 between adjacent cradleelements and platforms 1130 between the conical elements 1110. Theplatforms 1128, 1130 provide structural rigidity in the tray 1100 anddefine the boundary between adjacent bottle contoured compartments 1102.In the example shown, platform 1130 includes a recessed area 1146(notch, slot) that is shaped to accommodate a transport thermo pack. Therecessed area 1146 may be located in between and adjacent to bottle necksupport elements 1142. Such a configuration allows for the transportthermo pack to be installed between portions of beverage containers,such as between the necks of adjacent beverage containers.

In various embodiments, a thermo pack compartment 1104 houses thermopacks. In certain cases, beverage containers are placed in the tray 1100in the bottle contoured compartments 1102. The thermo pack compartment1104 may include a recessed area 1146 that accommodates a thermo pack.The thermo pack may be placed in the recessed area 1146 between the necksupport elements 1142, thereby providing a thermo pack adjacent to thenecks of beverage containers. In certain cases, dividers 1122 arepositioned to accommodate and/or partition thermo packs. In certaincases, the dividers 1122 enhance the structural characteristics of thethermo pack compartment.

In various embodiments, the thermo pack compartment 1104 is bounded byouter walls 1124 a partition wall 1126. The outer walls 1124 form theoutside of the tray 1100 in the thermo compartment 1104 portion of thetray 1100. The partition wall 1126 defines a boundary between the thermopack compartment 1104 and the bottle contoured compartments 1102. Thegeometry of the thermo pack compartment 1104 may be sized to accommodateparticular thermo packs. Thermo transport packs (not shown) are placedin the thermo pack compartment adjacent to, for example, the upperportion (e.g., necks) of the beverage containers. As a result of theirplacement near the necks of the beverage containers, the transportthermo packs provide cooling or heating directly to the beveragecontainers.

FIG. 12 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a beveragecontainer packing tray 1200 is depicted. The beverage container packingtray 1200 depicted may include a different view, such as a bottom viewor underside view, of beverage container packing tray 1100 of FIG. 11.The beverage container packing tray 1200 may include cradle elements1206. The cradle elements 1206 may include the underside of cradleelements 1106 of FIG. 11. The tray 1200 includes conical elements 1210,which may include the underside of conical elements 1110 of FIG. 11. Thetray 1200 further includes a thermo pack compartment 1204, which mayinclude the underside of thermo pack compartment 1104 of FIG. 11. In theexample shown, a thermo transport pack may be installed in the transportthermo pack 1204 in the location denoted by the blue rectangle. Though,the transport thermo pack would be installed in the transport thermopack compartment of the 1104 of FIG. 11.

The beverage container packing tray 1200 includes platforms 1208,1212-1216. Platforms 1208, 1212-1216 may be similar to platforms 208,212-216 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray1300 is configured to accommodate three beverage containers. Beveragecontainer packing tray 1300 may be similar in many respects to thebeverage container packing trays 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,1100, 1200 of FIGS. 1-7, 11, and 12, and some of features similar acrossthe designs will not be discussed in relation to FIG. 13 to avoidredundancy. The beverage container packing tray 1300 may include bottlecontoured compartments 1302, thermo pack compartments 1304, and/or otherelements. The bottle contoured compartments 1302 include bottle cradleelements 1306, spine elements 1308, conical elements 1310, bottle necksupport elements 1342, and/or other components. The bottle neck supportelements 1342 includes a pass through to accommodate the neck (reduceddiameter) portion of beverage container. The beverage container packingtray 1300 is configured to accommodate three beverage containers (notshown) in a lay flat or horizontal position.

In some embodiments, there are platforms 1328 between adjacent cradleelements and platforms 1330 between the conical elements 1310. Theplatforms 1328, 1330 provide structural rigidity in the tray 1300 anddefine the boundary between adjacent bottle contoured compartments 1302.

In various embodiments, a thermo pack compartment 1304 houses thermopacks. In certain cases, beverage containers are placed in the tray 1300in the bottle contoured compartments 1302. The thermo pack compartment1304 may include dividers 1322 (ribs) that partition in the thermo packcompartment 1304. The dividers 1322 may be positioned to accommodate thesize of the thermo packs. In certain cases, the dividers 1322 enhancethe structural characteristics of the thermo pack compartment 1304. Thethermo pack compartment 1304 may be sized to accommodate multiple thermopacks. The thermo pack compartment 1304 is bounded by outer walls 1324 apartition wall 1326. The outer walls 1324 form the outside of the tray1300 in the thermo pack compartment 1304 portion of the tray 1300. Thepartition wall 1326 defines a boundary between the thermo packcompartment 1304 and the beverage container contoured compartments 1302.The geometry of the thermo pack compartment 1304 may be sized toaccommodate particular thermo packs. The recessed area 1346 may belocated in between and adjacent to bottle neck support elements 1342.Such a configuration allows for the transport thermo pack to beinstalled between and/or adjacent to portions of beverage containers,such as between the necks of adjacent beverage containers.

FIG. 14 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a beveragecontainer packing tray 1400 is depicted. The beverage container packingtray 1400 depicted may include a different view, such as a bottom viewor underside view, of beverage container packing tray 1300 of FIG. 13.The beverage container packing tray 1400 may include cradle elements1406. The cradle elements 1406 may include the underside of cradleelements 1306 of FIG. 13. The tray 1400 includes conical elements 1410,which may include the underside of conical elements 1310 of FIG. 13. Thetray 1400 further includes a thermo pack compartment 1404, which mayinclude the underside of thermo pack compartment 1404 of FIG. 14. In theexample shown, thermo transport packs may be installed in the transportthermo pack compartment 1404 in the locations denoted by the bluerectangles. In such a configuration, the thermo transport packs would beinstalled between the adjacent necks of the beverage containers (e.g.,between necks of wine bottles). Though, the transport thermo pack wouldbe installed on the in the transport thermo pack compartment of the 1304of FIG. 13.

The beverage container packing tray 1400 includes platforms 1408,1412-1416. The platforms allow the tray 1400 to sit steady on a flatsurface, such as the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top ofanother tray, and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certaincases, the platforms 1408, 1412-1416 aid in stacking of beverage traycontainer packing trays 1400. In the example shown, the tray 1400includes thermo pack compartment platforms 1408 (four platforms shown).Platforms 1408 may be located on the underside of thermo packcompartment 1304 of FIG. 13. Platforms 1416 may extend from the conicalelements 1410. In the example shown, two platforms 1416 extend from theconical surface 1410. Platforms 1412 may be disposed between the cradleelements 1406. Platforms 1412 (eight shown) may include and/or extendfrom, for example, recessed elements between the cradle elements 1306 ofFIG. 13. Platforms 1414 may extend from the cradle elements 1406. In theexample shown, three platforms 1414 extend from the cradle elements 1406that contact a lower portion of a beverage container.

FIG. 15 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray1500 includes bottle contoured compartments 1502, thermo packcompartments 1504, and/or other elements. A beverage container packingtray 1500 may hold three beverage containers and four thermo transportpacks. The thermo transport packs (not shown) may be placed in, forexample, the locations denoted by the rectangles. The beverage containerpacking tray 1500 is configured to accommodate beverage containers (notshown) in a lay flat or horizontal position. In the example shown, thebeverage containers are included in the tray 1500 in a head to footconfiguration where the base of one beverage container is aligned to theneck of neck of an adjacent beverage container. The bottle contouredcompartments 1502 (three shown) are configured to support a beveragecontainer that is laid flat in the tray 1500. The bottle contouredcompartments 1502 may include one or more cradle elements 1506, 1508,conical elements 1510, bottle neck support elements 1542, and/or otherelements.

The bottle contoured compartment 1502 may include a first cradle element1506 and a second cradle element 1508. The cradle elements 1506, 1508may include a semi-circular cradle shaped element structure that matchesor approximates the outer shape of the beverage container. The cradleelements 1506, 1508 are configured to continuously surround a portion ofthe beverage container, such as half of the container. In the exampleshown, the cradle elements 1506, 1508 partially surround roughly half ofthe beverage container at two locations near the bottom of thecontainer. The first cradle element 1506 may configured to accommodate alower portion of a beverage container. A second cradle element 1508 isconfigured accommodate a middle section of the beverage container. Thefirst cradle element 1506 and second cradle element 1508 may beseparated by recessed elements 1512. For example, the first cradleelement 1506 and second cradle element 1508 may include distinctstructures that independently contact the beverage container atdifferent points.

The bottle contoured compartments 1502 include conical elements 1510.The conical element 1510 may be configured to house a tapered portion(varying diameter portion) of a beverage container. The conical element1510 may taper to a neck of the beverage container. For example, theneck of the beverage container may be housed in bottle neck supportelement 1542 of bottle contoured compartment 1502. The neck of thebeverage container may rest in the bottle neck support element 1542.

In some embodiments, platforms 1528, 1530, 1532 are located betweenadjacent beverage container contoured compartments 1502. The platforms1528, 1530, 1532 provide structural rigidity in the tray and define theboundary between various portions of adjacent bottle contoured elements1502. In the example shown, platform 1528 separates a cradle element1506 of a first compartment from bottle neck support of anothercompartment 1542. A platform 1530 may separate two cradle elements 1506.Platform 1532 separates a neck support element 1542 and a conicalelement 1510. Platforms may separate any combination of adjacent bottlecontoured elements.

In various embodiments, beverage container packing tray 1500 includesmultiple transport thermo pack compartments 1504. The transport thermopack compartments 1504 are configured to house thermo packs. In certaincases, beverage containers are placed in the tray 1500, and transportthermo packs are placed in the thermo pack compartment 1504. In theexample shown, the tray 1500 includes four transport thermo packcompartments 1504. The transport thermo pack compartments 1504 (denotedby dotted lines) are configured to house thermo packs in proximity tomultiple beverage containers. The geometry of the thermo packcompartments 1504 may be sized to accommodate particular thermo packs.

In some embodiments, beverage containers are placed in the beveragecontainer packing tray 1500 in, for example, the beverage containercontoured elements 1502. The beverage containers may contact the firstcradle elements 1506, second cradle elements 1508, the conical elements1510, bottle neck support elements 1542, and/or other components of thetray 1500. Transport thermo packs are place in the transport thermo packcompartments 1504. Portions of the transport thermo packs may be incontact with the beverage containers. A second tray 1500 may be placedon the top of the tray 1500. The second tray may be identical (orsubstantially similar) to the first tray 1500 and/or may mirror thefirst tray. The first and second trays may completely surround, protect,and secure the beverage containers, transport thermo packs, and otheritems. This assembly may be placed in beverage container shippingcontainer.

In certain cases, multiple assemblies including multiple trays areloaded into a single shipping container. For example, two sets of trayseach housing three bottles may be placed in a shipping container, and atotal of six bottles are shipped. In another example, nine bottles maybe shipped in three stacked sets of trays. Similarly, twelve bottles maybe shipped in four stacked sets of trays.

FIG. 16 depicts an underside of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a beveragecontainer packing tray 1600 is depicted. The beverage container packingtray 1600 depicted may include a different view, such as a bottom viewor underside view, of beverage container packing tray 1500 of FIG. 15.The beverage container packing tray 1600 may include bottle contouredcompartments 1602. The bottle contoured compartments 1602 may includethe underside of bottle contoured compartments 1502 of FIG. 15. The tray1600 includes a thermo pack compartments 1604. In the example shown, thelocations where thermo packs are installed are depicted by dashed lines.Four thermo packs may be installed at locations near the corners of thebeverage container packing tray 1600. In certain cases, the thermo packsmay include flexible gel packs installed under the beverage containers.

In various embodiments, beverage containers are placed in the beveragecontainer contoured compartments 1602. For example, the tray 1600 may bestacked on top of another beverage container tray (e.g., tray 1500 ofFIG. 15), and beverage containers are placed in the beverage containercontoured compartments 1602 of the tray 1600. Thermo transport packs mayalso be placed in the tray in the thermo transport pack compartments1604.

The beverage container packing tray 1600 includes platforms 1610-1618.The platforms allow the tray 1600 to sit steady on a flat surface, suchas the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top of another tray,and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certain cases, theplatforms 1610-1618 assist in stacking of beverage tray containerpacking trays 1600. In the example shown, the tray 1600 includesplus-sign shaped platforms 1610. Platforms 1612 may be located in theinner portion of the tray 1600 and/or on the underside of cradleelements 1506 of FIG. 15. Platforms 1614 may be located in the innerportion of the tray 1600 and/or on the underside of conical elements1510 of FIG. 15. Platforms 1616 may be located in the inner portion ofthe tray 1600. Platforms 1618 may be located at various points aroundthe perimeter of the tray 1600.

In certain cases, multiple beverage container trays 1600 are stacked ontop of one another in a shipping container. A first tray 1600 may beplaced in the bottom of the shipping container, loaded with beveragecontainers, and transport thermo packs. A second tray 1600 is placed ontop of the first tray so the two trays encase (surround) the beveragecontainers, thermo transport packs, and other components. Detailsregarding potential stacking configurations are described in subsequentfigures. Platforms 1610-1618 of a third tray may be stacked on theplatforms 1610-1618 of the second tray. Because the platforms includeflat or relatively flat surfaces, the trays may be efficiently stacked.The flat surfaces of the platforms 1610-1618 allow stacked beveragecontainer trays 1600 to transmit load between trays while reducing theload applied to beverage containers housed within the trays. Stackingflat platforms 1610-1618 of one tray on the platforms of another trayallows the trays to be stacked with causing damage to of the trays,which may be fabricated out of paper-based materials that are somewhatsusceptible to damage. In some instances, a first set of trays 1600 isstacked on a second set of trays 1600 during transit to ship for examplefour beverage containers. Additional sets of trays 1600 may be stackedto ship six, eight, or any number of beverage containers in a singlepackage.

FIG. 17 depicts top and front views of a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. Two separate views of the beveragecontainer packing tray 1700 are depicted in the figure shown. As shown,a top view 1750 depicts bottle contoured compartments 1702, thermo packcompartments 1704, and/or other elements. In the example shown, a frontview 1760 of a beverage container packing tray includes a tray base 1718(a bottom of a tray) and an upper surface 1744 of a tray. In the frontview 1760 of a beverage container packing tray includes an end view ofthe bottle contoured compartments 1702 are depicted.

The beverage container packing tray 1700 may be similar to tray 1500 ofFIG. 15 and/or tray 1600 of FIG. 16. In the example shown, the top view1750 depicts bottle contoured compartments 1702, a thermo packcompartments 1704, and/or other elements. The bottle contouredcompartments 1702 may include, for example, first bottle cradle elements1706, second bottle cradle elements 1708, conical elements 1710, bottleneck elements 1742, and/or other components. The neck portion 1742 maybe configured to support a neck portion of a beverage container. Theneck portion 1742 span the conical section and terminate at a partitionwall 1726 of the thermo pack compartment 1704.

In various embodiments, the tray 1700 includes multiple recessedelements 1712, 1714, 1716. Recessed elements 1712 may be located betweenfirst cradle elements 1706 and second cradle elements 1708. Recessedelements 1714 may be located between the second cradle elements 1708 andconical elements 1710 of the tray 1700.

In various embodiments, the thermo pack compartments 1704 are configuredto house (accommodate) thermo packs. The thermo pack compartment 1704 isbounded by outer walls 1724 and inner walls 1726. The outer walls 1724define portions of the outer surface of the tray 1700. The inner walls1726 may define a boundary (border) between the thermo pack compartment1704 and the beverage container accommodating space 1702. The innerwalls 1726 and outer walls 1724 may include a draft (for example, aseven degree or other draft) to enable the tray 1700 to be removed fromthe mold during fabrication. The thermo pack compartments 1704 areplaced at multiple locations (such as four locations) to provideconsistent thermal control across the tray 1700.

FIG. 18 depicts bottom, side, and back views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments. Three separate views ofthe beverage container packing tray 1800 are depicted in the figureshown. As shown, a bottom view 1870 depicts bottle contouredcompartments 1802, thermo pack compartments 1804, and/or other elements.In the example shown, the side view 1880 of a beverage container packingtray includes an end view of the bottle contoured compartments 1802 aredepicted. A back view 1890 of a beverage container packing tray includesa tray base 1818 (a bottom of a tray) and an upper surface 1844 of atray.

In various embodiments, beverage containers may be placed in thebeverage container contoured compartments 1802 and transport thermopacks are placed in the transport thermo pack compartments 1804.

The beverage container packing tray 1800 includes platforms 1810, 1812,1814, 1816. The platforms 1810-1816 allow the tray 1800 to sit steady ona flat surface, such as the bottom of shipping container, a box, a topof another tray, and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certaincases, the platforms 1810-1816 aid in stacking of beverage traycontainer packing trays 1800 as discussed herein.

FIG. 19 depicts beverage containers and thermo transport packs in abeverage container packing tray according to various embodiments. In theexample shown, a portion of a beverage container packing assembly 1901includes a beverage container packing tray 1900, beverage containers1990 (three shown), thermo transport packs 1992 (four shown), and/orother elements. The beverage containers 1990 are placed in the tray 1900in a horizontal (lay flat) configuration. Transport thermo packs 1992are placed in the tray 1900 at locations (four shown) along theperimeter of the tray 1900. The transport thermo packs 1992 are directlyadjacent to multiple beverage containers 1990 and located in closeproximity to the other beverage containers.

In the example shown, beverage containers 1990 are placed in beveragecontainer contoured compartments 1902. The beverage container contouredcompartments 1902 include first bottle cradle elements 1906, secondbottle cradle elements 1908, conical elements 1910, bottle neck supportelements 1942, and/or other components. As shown, these elements areconfigured to match the contour of the beverage container 1990.Transport thermo packs 1992 are placed in the transport thermo packcompartments 1904. In the example shown, the transport thermo packcompartments 1904 are located near the corners of the tray 1900. Thoughin other configurations, transport thermo pack compartments may beincluded in other locations, such as between the beverage containers,around portions of the beverage containers, and/or in other locations.For example, additional transport thermo packs may be placed in the tray1900 at any feasible location. Transport thermo packs may be sized tofit in various locations within the packaging.

FIG. 20 depicts stacking beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments. In the example shown, a first step 2001 inassembling a beverage container packing assembly includes placingbeverage containers 2006 in a first beverage container packing tray2000. The beverage containers 2006 may be placed in beverage containercontoured compartments 2002 in the first beverage container packing tray2000. The beverage containers 2006 are placed in the tray 2000 in ahorizontal (lay flat) configuration. Thermo transport packs are alsoplaced in the tray 2000 in, for example, thermo pack compartments 2004(e.g., denoted with dashed-line rectangles). The thermo packcompartments 2004 may be located, for example, along the perimeter ofthe tray 2000.

In a next step 2003 (depicted in two views), a second beverage containerpacking tray 2010 is placed on the first beverage container packing tray2000, transport thermo packs (not shown) are placed the second beveragecontainer tray 2010, and additional beverage containers 2006 are placedon the second beverage container packing tray 2010. The second tray 2010may be placed on the first tray 2000 so that the two trays encapsulatethe beverage containers 2006 and transport thermo packs placed on thefirst tray 2000. Transport thermo packs may be placed in transportthermo pack compartments 2014 (depicted as dashed rectangles). Thetransport thermo packs may be include thermal gel packs. The thermal gelpacks may be flexible to the contours of the tray 2010 and the beveragecontainers 2006. Beverage containers 2006 are placed on the second tray2010 in beverage container contoured compartments 2012. The beveragecontainer contoured compartments 2012 are located on a top side (anopposite side) of the second tray 2010. The second tray 2010 (and thefirst tray 2000) may include first beverage container contouredcompartments 2002 on a bottom of the tray 2010 and second beveragecontainer contoured compartments 2012 on a top (opposite side) of thetray 2010. The first beverage container contoured compartments 2002 andsecond beverage container contoured compartments 2012 may includesimilar features, such as cradle elements, conical elements, necksupport elements, and the like. The first beverage container contouredcompartments 2002 and second beverage container contoured compartments2012 may differ in overall geometry. For example, the width of thecradle elements, conical elements, neck support elements, and otherelements of the first beverage container contoured compartments 2002 maydiffer from the second beverage container contoured compartments 2012.

FIG. 21 depicts stacking beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments. FIG. 21 may, for example, depict steps performedafter those in FIG. 20. For example, in the steps depicted in FIG. 20,beverage containers and transport thermo packs are placed in a firstbeverage container packing tray 2100. A second beverage containerpacking tray 2110 is placed on the first beverage container packing tray2100. Beverage containers and transport thermo packs are placed on thesecond beverage container packing tray 2110. In the example shown, astep 2101 in assembling a beverage container packing assembly includesplacing a third beverage container packing tray 2120 on the secondbeverage container packing tray 2110. In certain cases, the bottom sideof the third beverage container packing tray 2120 may be placed on thesecond beverage container packing tray 2110 and the beverage containersplaced on the second tray 2110. In other cases (not shown), a top sideof the third beverage container packing tray 2120 is placed on thebeverage container packing tray 2110.

FIG. 22 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray2200 includes bottle contoured compartments 2202, thermo packcompartments 2204, and/or other elements. A beverage container packingtray 2200 may hold two beverage containers and two thermo transportpacks. The thermo transport packs (not shown) may be placed in, forexample, the thermo pack compartments 2204 denoted by the dashedrectangles. The beverage container packing tray 2200 is configured toaccommodate beverage containers (not shown) in a lay flat or horizontalposition. In the example shown, the beverage containers are included inthe tray 2200 in a head to foot configuration where the base of onebeverage container is aligned to the neck of neck of an adjacentbeverage container. The bottle contoured compartments 2202 (two shown)are configured to support a beverage container that is laid flat in thetray 2200. The bottle contoured compartments 2202 may include one ormore cradle elements 2206, 2208, conical elements 2210, bottle necksupport elements 2242, and/or other elements.

The bottle contoured compartment 2202 may include a first cradle element2206 and a second cradle element 2208. The cradle elements 2206, 2208may include a semi-circular cradle shaped element structure that matchesor approximates the outer shape of the beverage container. The cradleelements 2206, 2208 are configured to continuously surround a portion ofthe beverage container, such as half of the container. In the exampleshown, the cradle elements 2206, 2208 partially surround roughly half ofthe beverage container at two locations near the bottom of thecontainer. The first cradle element 2206 may be configured toaccommodate a lower portion of a beverage container. A second cradleelement 2208 is configured accommodate a middle section of the beveragecontainer. The first cradle element 2206 and second cradle element 2208may be separated by recessed elements 2212. For example, the firstcradle element 2206 and second cradle element 2208 may include distinctstructures that independently contact the beverage container atdifferent points.

The bottle contoured compartments 2202 include conical elements 2210.The conical element 2210 may be configured to house a tapered portion(varying diameter portion) of a beverage container. The conical element2210 may taper to a neck of the beverage container. For example, theneck of the beverage container may be housed in bottle neck supportelement 2242 of bottle contoured compartment 2202. The neck of thebeverage container may rest in the bottle neck support element 2242.

In various embodiments, beverage container packing tray 2200 includesmultiple transport thermo pack compartments 2204. The transport thermopack compartments 2204 are configured to house thermo packs. In certaincases, beverage containers are placed in the tray 2200, and transportthermo packs are placed in the thermo pack compartment 2204. In theexample shown, the tray 2200 includes two transport thermo packcompartments 2204. The transport thermo pack compartments 2204 areconfigured to house thermo packs in proximity to multiple beveragecontainers. The geometry of the thermo pack compartments 2204 may besized to accommodate particular thermo packs.

In certain cases, the tray 2200 of FIG. 22 may include additionalfeatures as depicted. For example, the tray 2200 may include certainfeatures described in FIGS. 15-18.

FIG. 23 depicts a beverage container packing tray according to variousembodiments. In the example shown, a beverage container packing tray2300 is depicted. The beverage container packing tray 2300 depicted mayinclude a different view, such as a bottom view or underside view, ofbeverage container packing tray 2200 of FIG. 22. The beverage containerpacking tray 2300 may include bottle contoured compartments 2302. Thetray 2300 includes a thermo pack compartments 2304. In the exampleshown, the locations where thermo packs are installed are depicted indashed rectangles. Two thermo packs may be installed at locations nearthe corners of the beverage container packing tray 2300. In certaincases, the thermo packs may include flexible gel packs installed underthe beverage containers. The bottle contoured compartments 2302 mayinclude first cradle elements 2306, second cradle elements 2308, conicalelements 2310, and bottle neck support components 2342. In certaincases, these elements include geometry to match the contours of abeverage container.

In various embodiments, beverage containers are placed in the beveragecontainer contoured compartments 2302. For example, the tray 2300 may bestacked on top of another beverage container tray (e.g., tray 2200 ofFIG. 22), and beverage containers are placed in the beverage containercontoured compartments 2302 of the tray 2300. Thermo transport packs mayalso be placed in the tray in the thermo transport pack compartments2304.

The beverage container packing tray 2300 includes platforms 2312-2318.The platforms allow the tray 2300 to sit steady on a flat surface, suchas the bottom of shipping container, a box, a top of another tray,and/or any other relatively flat surface. In certain cases, theplatforms 2312-2318 assist in stacking of beverage tray containerpacking trays 2300. In the example shown, the tray 2300 includesplus-sign shaped platforms 2312. Platforms 2314 may be located in theinner portion of the tray 2300 and/or on the underside of cradleelements 2308 of FIG. 23. Platforms 2316 may be located in the innerportion of the tray 2300 and/or on the underside of conical elements2310 of FIG. 23. Platforms 2316 may be located in the inner portion ofthe tray 2300 and/or on the underside of cradle elements 2210 of FIG.22. Platforms 2318 may be located at various points around the perimeterof the tray 2300.

In certain cases, multiple beverage container trays 2300 are stacked ontop of one another in a shipping container. A first tray 2300 may beplaced in the bottom of the shipping container, loaded with beveragecontainers, and transport thermo packs. A second tray 2300 is placed ontop of the first tray so the two trays encase (surround) the beveragecontainers, thermo transport packs, and other components. Detailsregarding potential stacking configurations is described in subsequentfigures. Platforms 2312-2318 of a third tray may be stacked on theplatforms 2312-2318 of the second tray. Because the platforms includeflat or relatively flat surfaces, the trays may be efficiently stacked.The flat surfaces of the platforms 2312-2318 allow stacked beveragecontainer trays 2300 to transmit load between trays while reducing theload applied to beverage containers housed within the trays. Stackingflat platforms 2312-2318 of one tray on the platforms of another trayallows the trays to be stacked with causing damage to of the trays,which may be fabricated out of paper-based materials that are somewhatsusceptible to damage. In some instances, a first set of trays 2300 isstacked on a second set of trays 2300 during transit to ship for examplefour beverage containers. Additional sets of trays 2300 may be stackedto ship six, eight, or any number of beverage containers in a singlepackage.

FIG. 24 depicts top, front, and side views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments. Three separate views ofthe beverage container packing tray 2400 are depicted in the figureshown. As shown, a top view 2450 depicts bottle contoured compartments2402, thermo pack compartments 2404, and/or other elements. In theexample shown, a front view 2460 of a beverage container packing trayincludes a tray base 2418 (a bottom of a tray) and an upper surface 2444of a tray. In the front view 2460 of a beverage container packing trayincludes an end view of the bottle contoured compartments 2402 aredepicted.

The beverage container packing tray 2400 may be similar to tray 2200 ofFIG. 22 and/or tray 2300 of FIG. 23. In the example shown the top view2450 depicts bottle contoured compartments 2402, a thermo packcompartments 2404, and/or other elements. The thermo pack compartments2404 are configured to house (accommodate) thermo packs. The thermo packcompartment 2404 are located to provide optimal thermal energy transferbetween the beverage container and transport thermo pack. The thermopack compartments 2404 are placed at multiple locations denoted byrectangles to provide consistent thermal control across the tray 2400.

FIG. 25 depicts bottom, side, and back views of a beverage containerpacking tray according to various embodiments. Three separate views ofthe beverage container packing tray 2500 are depicted in the figureshown. As shown, a bottom view 2570 depicts bottle contouredcompartments 2502, thermo pack compartments 2504, and/or other elements.In the example shown, the side view 2580 of a beverage container packingtray includes an end view of the bottle contoured compartments 2502 aredepicted. A back view 2590 of a beverage container packing tray includesa tray base 2518 (a bottom of a tray) and an upper surface 2544 of atray.

In various embodiments, beverage containers may be placed in thebeverage container contoured compartments 2502 and transport thermopacks are placed in the transport thermo pack compartments 2504.

FIG. 26 depicts beverage containers in a beverage container packing trayaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a portion of abeverage container packing assembly 2601 includes a beverage containerpacking tray 2600, beverage containers 2606 (two shown), thermotransport packs (not shown), and/or other elements. The beveragecontainers 2606 are placed in the tray 2600 in a horizontal (lay flat)configuration. Transport thermo packs (not show) are placed in the tray2600 in transport thermo pack compartments 2604 along the perimeter ofthe tray 2600. The transport thermo packs may be positioned adjacent tomultiple beverage containers 2606.

In the example shown, beverage containers 2606 are placed in beveragecontainer contoured compartments 2602. The beverage container contouredcompartments 2602 include first bottle cradle elements, second bottlecradle elements, conical elements, bottle neck support elements, and/orother components as described herein in, for example, FIG. 23. As shown,these elements are configured to match the contour of the beveragecontainer 2606. Transport thermo packs are placed in the transportthermo pack compartments 2604. In the example shown, the transportthermo pack compartments 2604 are located near the corners of the tray2600. Though in other configurations, transport thermo pack compartments2604 may be included in other locations, such as between the beveragecontainers, around portions of the beverage containers, and/or in otherlocations. For example, additional transport thermo packs may be placedin the tray 2600 at any feasible location. Transport thermo packs may besized to fit in various locations within the packaging.

FIG. 27 depicts stacking beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments. FIG. 27 may, for example, depict steps performedafter those in FIG. 26. In the example shown, a first step 2701 inassembling a beverage container packing assembly includes placingbeverage containers 2706 in a first beverage container packing tray2700. The beverage containers 2706 may be placed in beverage containercontoured compartments 2702 in the first beverage container packing tray2700. The beverage containers 2706 are placed in the tray 2700 in ahorizontal (lay flat) configuration. Thermo transport packs are alsoplaced in the tray 2700 in, for example, thermo pack compartments 2704(e.g., denoted with dashed-line rectangles). The thermo packcompartments 2704 may be located, for example, along the perimeter ofthe tray 2700.

In a next step 2703, a second beverage container packing tray 2710 isplaced on the first beverage container packing tray 2700. Transportthermo packs are placed the second beverage container tray 2710 andadditional beverage containers (not shown) are placed on the secondbeverage container packing tray 2710. The second tray 2710 may be placedon the first tray 2700 so that the two trays encapsulate the beveragecontainers 2706 and transport thermo packs placed on the first tray2700. In the example shown in step 2703, the first tray 2700 and secondtray 2710 are a similar (if not identical) design. Beverage containers2706 are placed on a top side 2708 of the first tray 2700, and thebottom side 2712 of the second tray 2710 is placed on the top side 2708of first tray 2700. Additional beverage containers and/or transportthermo packs are placed on the top side 2714 of the second tray 2710.

In an alternative next step 2705, which may be an alternative to step2703, a second beverage container packing tray 2720 is placed on thefirst beverage container packing tray 2700. The second tray 2720 may beplaced on the first tray 2700 so that the two trays encapsulate thebeverage containers 2706 and transport thermo packs placed on the firsttray 2700. In the example shown in step 2705, the first tray 2700 andsecond tray 2720 are a similar (if not identical) design. Beveragecontainers 2706 are placed on a top side 2708 of the first tray 2700,and the top side 2714 of the second tray 2720 is placed on the top side2708 of first tray 2700. Additional beverage containers and/or transportthermo packs are placed on the top side 2712 of the second tray 2710.

FIG. 28 depicts a beverage container packing tray, beverage containers,and a thermo pack according to various embodiments. In the exampleshown, a beverage container packaging assembly 2800 includes beveragecontainer packing tray 2801. The beverage container packing tray 2801includes one or more bottle contoured compartments 2802 (three shown),one or more thermo pack compartments 2804, and/or other features. In theexample shown, the beverage container packing tray 2801 includes threebottle contoured compartments 2802. The bottle contoured compartments2802 are configured to accommodate a beverage container 2812. The bottlecontoured compartments 2802 may be molded to match or resemble thegeneral shape of the beverage container 2812. The bottle contouredcompartments 2802 may be shaped to protect a beverage container 2812during transit. The bottle contoured compartments 2802 may be shaped toconstrain the beverage container 2812 from movement. The thermo packcompartments 2804 are configured to accommodate one or more thermo packs2814. In the example shown, the thermo pack compartment 2804 isconfigured to accommodate one or more thermo packs 2814 in proximity tothe neck of the beverage container 2812. By placing thermo packs 2814close to the neck of the beverage container (and away from much of theliquid in the beverage container), the thermo pack may maintain aconsistent temperature in the packaging assembly 2800 withoutovercooling (e.g., freezing) or overheating the liquid in the container2812. In some scenarios, the thermo packs are installed to maintain thebeverage container 2812 contents at a desired temperature range, such ascellar temperature for wines and similar spirits. In certain cases, thethermo pack 2814 may be shaped to match the geometry of the thermo packcompartment 2804. In some instances, the thermo pack compartment 2804 isshaped to accommodate different thermo packs 2814 of varying size,shape, weight, and the like.

In certain cases, an additional beverage container packing tray (notshown) may be placed on the beverage container packing tray 2801. Theadditional packing tray (not shown) may include thermo packcompartments, bottle contoured compartments, and/or similar features.The additional beverage container packing tray may accommodateadditional thermo packs. The additional beverage container packing tray(and thermo pack) may be placed on top of the beverage container packingtray 2801. Upon assembly the neck portions of the bottle may be inproximity to two thermo packs 2814. The beverage container packagingassembly 2800 may be placed in a box for transit. In certain cases,multiple beverage container packing assemblies 2800 may be placed in abox, for example, stacked on top of each other.

FIG. 29 depicts a beverage container packing tray, beverage containers,and a thermo pack according to various embodiments. In the exampleshown, a beverage container packaging assembly 2900 includes beveragecontainer packing tray 2901. The beverage container packing tray 2901includes one or more bottle contoured compartments 2902 (two shown), oneor more thermo pack compartments 2904, and/or other features. In theexample shown, the beverage container packing tray 2901 includes twobottle contoured compartments 2902. The thermo pack compartments 2904are configured to accommodate one or more thermo packs 2914. In theexample shown, the thermo pack compartment 2904 is configured toaccommodate one or more thermo packs 2914 in proximity to the neck ofthe beverage container 2912. By placing thermo packs 2914 close to theneck of the beverage container (and away from much of the liquid in thebeverage container), the thermo pack may maintain a consistenttemperature in the packaging assembly 2900 without overcooling (e.g.,freezing) or overheating the liquid in the container 2912. In certaincases, an additional beverage container packing tray (not shown) may beplaced on the beverage container packing tray 2901. The additionalpacking tray (not shown) may include thermo pack compartments, bottlecontoured compartments, and/or similar features. The additional beveragecontainer packing tray may accommodate additional thermo packs. Theadditional beverage container packing tray (and thermo pack) may beplaced on top of the beverage container packing tray 2901. Upon assemblythe neck portions of the bottle may be in proximity to two thermo packs2914. The beverage container packaging assembly 2900 may be placed in abox for transit. In certain cases, multiple beverage container packingassemblies 2900 may be placed in a box, for example, stacked on top ofeach other.

FIG. 30 depicts assembling beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments. In the example shown, a first step 3000 inassembling a beverage container packing assembly includes placingtransport thermo packs 3014 in a first beverage container packing tray3010. The thermo transport packs 3014 are placed in the tray 3010 inthermo pack compartments 3004. Beverage containers 3012 are placed inthe first tray 3010 in, for example, bottle contoured compartments 3002.The beverage containers 3012 are placed in the tray 3010 in a horizontal(lay flat) configuration. Additional transport thermo packs 3016 may beplaced in the tray 3010. In certain cases, a first thermo transport pack3014 is placed in the thermo pack compartment 3004, beverage containers3012 are placed in the first beverage container packing tray 3010, and asecond thermo transport pack 3016 is placed on top of the first thermotransport pack 3014 and/or upper (neck) portions of a beverage container3012. The thermo transport packs 3014, 3016 may surround (e.g.,sandwich) the upper portions of the beverage containers 3012.

In a next step 3050, a second beverage container packing tray 3020 isplaced on the first beverage container packing tray 3010. The secondtray 3020 may be placed on the first tray 3010 so that the two traysencapsulate the beverage containers 3012 and transport thermo packs3014, 3016. In the example shown in step 3050, the first tray 3010 andsecond tray 3020 are a similar (if not identical) design. Aftercompletion of step 3050, the beverage container packaging assembly maybe placed in a box for transit. In certain cases, multiple beveragecontainer packing assemblies may be placed in a box, for example,stacked on top of each other.

FIG. 31 depicts assembling beverage container packing trays according tovarious embodiments. The techniques depicted in FIG. 31 are similar tothose depicted in FIG. 30, with one difference being that FIG. 31depicts trays that accommodate two beverages, as opposed to traysaccommodating three beverage containers as depicted in FIG. 30. In theexample shown, a first step 3100 in assembling a beverage containerpacking assembly includes placing transport thermo packs 3114 in a firstbeverage container packing tray 3110. The thermo transport packs 3114are placed in the tray 3110 in thermo pack compartments 3104. Beveragecontainers 3112 are placed in the first tray 3110 in, for example,bottle contoured compartments 3102. The beverage containers 3112 areplaced in the tray 3110 in a horizontal (lay flat) configuration.Additional transport thermo packs 3116 may be placed in the tray 3110.In certain cases, a first thermo transport pack 3114 is placed in thethermo pack compartment 3104, beverage containers 3112 are placed in thefirst beverage container packing tray 3110, and a second thermotransport pack 3116 is placed on top of the first thermo transport pack3114 and/or upper (neck) portions of a beverage container 3112. Thethermo transport packs 3114, 3116 may surround (e.g., sandwich) theupper portions of the beverage containers 3112.

In a next step 3150, a second beverage container packing tray 3120 isplaced on the first beverage container packing tray 3110. The secondtray 3120 may be placed on the first tray 3110 so that the two traysencapsulate the beverage containers 3112 and transport thermo packs3114, 3116. In the example shown in step 3150, the first tray 3110 andsecond tray 3120 are a similar (if not identical) design. Aftercompletion of step 3150, the beverage container packaging assembly maybe placed in a box for transit. In certain cases, multiple beveragecontainer packing assemblies may be placed in a box, for example,stacked on top of each other.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart depicting a method of packing beverage containersaccording to various embodiments. In the example shown, a method 3200 ofpacking beverage containers id disclosed. The method 3200 includesplacing (3210) a plurality of beverage containers in a beveragecontainer contoured compartments in a first tray. The beveragecontainers are placed in the contoured compartments so the beveragecontainers lay flat in the tray. In certain cases, the tray may beplaced in a shipping container prior to assembly as described herein.

The method includes placing (3220) transport thermo packs in transportthermo pack compartments in the tray. The tray may include specificcompartments designed to accommodate transport thermo packs. Thetransport thermo pack compartments may be located such that thetransport thermo packs are placed near the upper portion (e.g., neck) ofbeverage container. Such a configuration is depicted, for example, inFIGS. 1-14 and 28-31. The transport thermo pack compartments may belocated in a tray such that the thermo packs are placed around theoutside of the tray, thereby surrounding beverage containers place inthe center portion of the tray. Such as configuration is depicted, forexample, in FIGS. 15-27.

The method includes assembling (3230) a second tray on the first tray sothat the beverage containers and transport thermo packs are at leastpartially encapsulated by the first and second trays. For example, thesecond tray may be placed on top of the first tray housing the beveragecontainers and transport thermo packs. The two trays may sandwich and/orsubstantially surround the beverage containers and thermo packs.

The method includes placing (3240) assemblies of beverage containerpacking trays, beverage containers, and/or transport thermo packs in ashipping container. For example, the assembly first and second tray ofstep 3230 may be placed in the shipping container. In certain cases,multiple assemblies may be placed in the shipping container. Theassemblies may be placed in the shipping container, such that theassemblies and trays are stacked on top of one another. Platforms of abeverage container tray may be stacked on the platforms of anotherbeverage container tray. As discussed herein, the platforms areconfigured to allow the trays to efficiently stack on top of oneanother. In certain cases, multiple tray assemblies each housing twobeverage containers and thermo transport packs are placed in theshipping container. When fully assembled, the shipping container mayinclude, for example, two pairs of trays for a total of four beveragecontainers, three pairs of trays for a total of six beverage containers,and/or other configurations. In other cases, multiple tray assemblieseach housing three beverage containers and thermo transport packs areplaced in the shipping container. When fully assembled, the shippingcontainer in this configuration may include, for example, two pairs oftrays for a total of six beverage containers, three pairs of trays for atotal of nine beverage containers, and/or other configurations.

In various embodiments, a box liner is placed in the shipping container.The box liner may include insulating material. In certain cases, the boxliner may be, for example, placed in the shipping container before thebeverage container trays are placed in the shipping container. The boxliner may resemble and/or follow the contour of the inner surface of theshipping container. In certain cases, the box liner and shippingcontainer may resemble a box within a box. With the box liner in place,for example along the inside of the shipping container, the bottom trayand beverage containers may then be placed in the beverage containerpackage. In some cases, the box liner may be added to the shippingcontainer after the bottom tray, center support, top tray, and beveragecontainers. The box liner may in conjunction with for example, thethermo transport packs may increase the R value of the cooling timerange for the beverage container packaging.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the disclosure should not belimited by any of the above-described illustrative embodiments butshould instead be defined only in accordance with the following claimsand their equivalents.

1. A beverage container packing tray, comprising: beverage containercontoured compartments configured to receive one or more beveragecontainers in a lay flat configuration, the beverage container contouredcompartments including at least a cradle element, a conical element, anda neck support element; and at least one thermo pack compartmentconfigured to house one or more transport thermo packs adjacent to atleast a portion of the beverage containers.
 2. The beverage containerpacking tray according to claim 1, wherein the thermo pack compartmentis located adjacent to a portion of the beverage container contouredcompartments that is configured to house an upper portion of a beveragecontainer.
 3. The beverage container packing tray according to claim 1,wherein the thermo pack compartment includes a recessed area configuredto house the transport thermo pack adjacent to a neck of a beveragecontainer.
 4. The beverage container packing tray according to claim 3,wherein the thermo pack compartment includes the recessed areaconfigured to house the transport thermo pack between the necks of aplurality of beverage containers.
 5. The beverage container packing trayaccording to claim 1, wherein the thermo pack compartments are locatedadjacent at least one of the beverage container contoured compartments.6. The beverage container packing tray according to claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of platforms.
 7. The beverage container packingtray according to claim 6, wherein the platforms include substantiallyflat surfaces that allows beverage container packing tray to be stackedon a second beverage container packing tray.
 8. A beverage containerpacking system, comprising: a first beverage container packing trayincluding beverage container contoured compartments and one or morethermo pack compartments, each of the beverage container contouredcompartments configured to receive a beverage container in a lay flatconfiguration and the thermo pack compartments configured to receive atransport thermo pack adjacent to at least a portion of a beveragecontainer; and a second beverage container packing tray defining secondbeverage container contoured compartments and second thermo packcompartments, the second beverage container packing tray substantiallysimilar to the first beverage container packing tray.
 9. The beveragecontainer packing system according to claim 8, further comprising ashipping container configured to receive the first and second beveragecontainer packing trays.
 10. The beverage container packing systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the beverage container contouredcompartments include a bottle cradle element, a conical element, andbottle neck support element.
 11. The beverage container packing systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the thermo pack compartment is locatedadjacent to a portion of the beverage container contoured compartmentthat is configured to house an upper portion of a beverage container.12. The beverage container packing system according to claim 8, whereinthe thermo pack compartment includes a recessed area configured to housethe transport thermo pack adjacent to a neck of a beverage container.13. The beverage container packing system according to claim 12, whereinthe thermo pack compartment includes the recessed area configured tohouse the transport thermo pack between the necks of a plurality ofbeverage containers.
 14. The beverage container packing system accordingto claim 8, wherein the thermo pack compartments are located adjacent tocorners of the first tray and second tray.
 15. The beverage containerpacking system according to claim 8, wherein the first and secondbeverage container packing trays are configured to at least partiallyencapsulate the beverage container and transport thermo packs.
 16. Thebeverage container packing system according to claim 8, wherein thefirst and second beverage container packing trays include a plurality ofplatforms include substantially flat surfaces that allow the first andsecond trays to be stacked.
 17. The beverage container packing systemaccording to claim 8, further comprising a box liner configured toreceive at least the first and second beverage container packing traysinside of a shipping container.
 18. A method of packing beveragecontainers, comprising: placing a plurality of beverage containers in aplurality of bottle contoured compartments in a first beverage containerpacking tray, the compartments configured to receive a beveragecontainer in a lay flat configuration placing at least one transportthermo pack in a thermo pack compartment adjacent to at least one of thebottle contoured compartments; assembling a tray assembly by placing asecond beverage container packing tray onto the first beverage containerpacking tray so that beverage containers and transport thermo packs areat least partially encapsulated by the first and second trays; andplacing the tray assembly in a shipping container.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising placing a box liner in the shippingcontainer, the box line including an insulating material.
 20. The methodof claim 18, further comprising: placing beverage containers in bottlecontoured compartments of a third beverage container packing tray;placing at least one transport thermo pack in a thermo pack compartmentadjacent to the bottle contoured compartments; assembling a second trayassembly by placing a fourth beverage container packing tray onto thethird beverage container packing tray so that beverage containers andtransport thermo packs are at least partially encapsulated by the thirdand fourth trays; and placing the second tray assembly on the trayassembly in the shipping container.